Chapter 14: After the Fall
Cassandra’s POV
“Cassandra!” Jordyn called out. He rushed to my side and knelt beside me. This surprised me. I thought for sure he’d go to Ellie first. “What happened? Are you okay?”
No. Not really. My body hurt in places I didn’t even know could hurt. But before I could reply…
“Arghhhhh.” Ellie moaned loudly.
His gaze turned from me to Ellie and he quickly stood up and went to her.
We had both screamed as we fell down the stairs. Luckily, though, most of the guests had already left. So it was only a small group that assembled in the foyer at the foot of the stairs.
Stanley came down the stairs, and Velma rushed in alongside her sister, Victoria, Jordyn’s aunt.
The shock of the fall had worn off, and I was able to sit up. In my peripheral vision, I saw Jordyn help Ellie up to a sitting position.
“Ladies,” Velma gasped. “How did this happen?”
“Can you stand?” Jordyn asked. She had her arm around his shoulder for support.
“Ow. No. Stop. I can’t. It hurts too much,” Ellie whined.
“Oh honey,” Velma said. “Where does it hurt, love?”
“My leg,” Ellie declared. “I think…ow…I think it’s broken.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Your leg isn’t broken,” I said under my breath. The staircase wasn’t that high. Yes, we’d be a little bruised. But there was no way that small of a tumble would cause either of us any serious injuries.
“I heard that,” Ellie snapped at me. “It’s my leg. And it feels broken to me.”
“Just…just stay still,” Jordyn said. Ellie batted her eyelashes at him. It was a pretty vulgar, shameless display, but I was the only one who seemed to think so.
“Cassandra, dear. Are you all right?” Stanley emerged at my side. He tried to help steady me as I got to my feet.
“Yes,” I smiled gratefully. “No broken bones. No need to fuss.”
“Good then. You’re one tough cookie,” Stanley praised. Ellie glared at me.
“What happened?” Victoria asked. She, Velma, and Jordyn were all cooing over Ellie. Velma was pressing various spots on Ellie’s leg. Jordyn was holding her up. Ellie winced and went on with her ‘I’m so injured’ display. “How did you BOTH fall down the stairs?”
“We didn’t,” Ellie said in a pitiful voice. “She pushed me! I had no choice but to grab onto her.”
Seriously?
“That’s not what happened,” I shook my head. This woman! Was she for real? She was going to unabashedly accuse ME of pushing HER down the stairs.
“You are a malicious, vindictive woman,” Velma stated, her head whipping towards me. All eyes turned on me. “Being jealous of Ellie is one thing. But pushing her down a staircase? She could have been seriously injured! What’s wrong with you?”
“Have you no shame?” Victoria piped in. “This is so…so violent!”
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Excuse me? I don’t know why I was surprised. Of course her mother and her aunt believed her.
“Is this true?” Jordyn asked.
“Are you seriously asking me that?” I snapped back at Jordyn.
“Well…I…” he stammered.
“No, Jordyn. I did not push Ellie down the stairs. Come on.”
He couldn’t possibly believe her, could he?
“So what are you saying?” Velma asked, her hands on her hips. “You both just fell? I highly doubt that.”
“If Ellie is going to accuse me of something like this, she should provide proof,” I said calmly. I didn’t care if Velma and Victoria believed me or not. But Jordyn? That stung a bit. “I asked Ellie to help persuade Jordyn to sign the divorce papers. Honestly. I didn’t push her down the stairs.”
Jordyn’s face remained firm and his mouth remained shut. His eyes flitted back and forth between me and Ellie.
“She’s lying,” Velma said.
“I agree,” Victoria added.
“You can see it on her face. See? She looks guilty. If Cassandra didn’t push Ellie, then what happened?”
“Of course Ellie is telling the truth. SHE’S not a liar.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said quietly.
Stanley fixed his gaze on Ellie then. “You claim Cassandra pushed you? But why? Why would she do that?” he asked sternly.
“I already told you. Jealousy,” Velma said.
“Yes, jealousy,” Victoria added.
“I caution you to be VERY careful with your accusations, young lady,” Stanley warned. “If you’re lying, I WILL find out. Now I’m going to ask you one more time. Are you SURE that Cassandra pushed you down the stairs?”
Ellie’s expression changed. Stanley could be an intimidating man when he wanted to be.
“Well, I’m…I’m pretty sure. Yes. I mean…um…well,” Ellie stammered, her cheeks red.
“Pretty sure? Or very sure?” Stanley pressed.
Ellie wrung her hands and her eyes flitted around nervously. “I mean, I guess I can’t be completely sure.”
I’d had enough. I honestly didn’t care if Ellie confessed or not. This whole thing was so ridiculous and immature. This conversation was going nowhere.
“I appreciate your willingness to get to the bottom of this,” I told Stanley, “but it really doesn’t matter. I really need to get going. It’s been a pleasure seeing you tonight.” I leaned in and kissed Stanley’s cheek. “Happy birthday.”
I grabbed my coat, well aware that Velma, Victoria, and Ellie were all scowling at me. Whatever. Good riddance. I was more than happy to leave this circus behind.
But as soon as I stepped outside, I heard Jordyn calling after me.
“Cassandra, wait,” he said, shutting the door behind him. “Let me drive you home.”
He looked past me then to the limited edition limousine sitting in the driveway. My driver had already brought my car around.
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“Wait,” he said, confused. “Is that…is that car for you?”
Shit, I cursed silently.
The last thing I want right now is for Jordyn to find out who I really am.
“Umm,” I said, trying to come up with a quick excuse that would explain the super expensive limo parked in the driveway.
“Cassandra, what’s going on here?” he demanded. “Is that or is that not YOUR car?”
I was at a complete loss, though. So I said, feebly:
“Yes.”
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